To be quite frank, my first
reaction when receiving this disc was to think that this
was yet another collection of miscellaneous choral pieces
designed to show-off the versatility and excellence of the
Chapel Choir of Worcester College, Oxford; this it achieves – in
a way. Taking a closer look at the composers’ names and at
the works dispelled my worst fears. Moreover, the programme
displays logic, in that all composers represented had or
have a close association with Worcester College. Rubbra,
Leighton and Sherlaw Johnson have been Fellows in Music at
the College, whereas Saxton has been the Fellow in Music
since 1999. The late Stephen Oliver was an undergraduate,
having composition lessons with Leighton and Sherlaw Johnson.
Finally, Andrew Grant is the current Chapel Music Consultant
at Worcester.

Edmund
Rubbra is represented by works from both ends of his long
composing life and by a fine work from his mature years (Three
Motets Op.76, 1952). The central motet, that gives
this release its collective title, is particularly fine,
and is one of the finest short choral works that he penned
throughout all his life. I do not know if the version of A
Hymn tothe Virgin Op.13 No.2 - incidentally
setting the same text that Britten was to set a few years
later - was made by the composer – or not – but it works
really well when sung by treble voices and organ. Infant
Holy Op.121 is a simple harmonisation of a traditional
Polish carol, whereas And when the Builders Op.125 is
the only work that Rubbra composed for Worcester College
on the occasion of the 250th Anniversary Commemoration,
and is thus appropriately festive.

Kenneth
Leighton’s Missa Brevis Op.50 is reasonably
well-known, but A Christmas CarollOp.21 from
1953 is a marvellous rarity, hitherto unrecorded and rarely
heard, if at all. It is an impressive setting for baritone,
chorus and organ - or orchestra - on an almost symphonic
scale. This comparatively early work nevertheless displays
many Leighton fingerprints, but the beautiful coda still
nods towards Gerald Finzi. A real little gem.

There
was a time when Robert Sherlaw Johnson was best known as
a pianist and a highly regarded Messiaen interpreter, as
well as the composer of impressive, strongly innovative piano
sonatas. The magnificent Second Piano Sonata was recorded
by the late John Ogdon many years ago. Later, however, he
made his mark as a composer of substantial works such as
the choral piece The Resurrection of Feng-Huang.
His Missa Aedis Christi was originally conceived
for Worcester College. Only when it became clear that its
technical challenges were beyond the choir’s capacities,
was the piece re-routed to Christ Church Cathedral - hence
the title. Now, here it is beautifully sung by the choir
that should have premiered it. The music does not sound complex
or intractably difficult; but I am sure that it is quite
challenging, and poses a number of technical problems; intonation
for one.

The
late Stephen Oliver is generally best known for his many
operas, but he also composed instrumental music such as a
recorder concerto and Character Pieces for Winds,
as well as choral music such as his effective setting of
Psalm 150 for treble voices and organ.

Saxton’s The
Child of Light is a well-crafted carol, setting
words by the composer, and may be more familiar, were
it only because it has already been recorded before:
Continuum CCD 1040 (possibly still available).

This
nicely varied programme opens with a fine Ave Verum by
Andrew Grant and closes with another nice setting by this
composer, A good-night written in memory of
the Queen Mother.

In
short, this is a most desirable selection of unfamiliar choral
works by some of the finest British composers of the 20th century
in excellent performances and very fine recorded sound.

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